UPDATE: Fire destroys Melancthon home

House fire

On Wednesday (Jan. 30), firefighters were dispatched to the two-storey Victorian home on County Road 124, north of Hornings Mills, shortly before 11 a.m.

“It’s going to be a total write-off,” Mulmur-Melancthon fire chief Jim Clayton told The Banner from the scene of the blaze. “With the wind we had today, it has taken the roof off the second floor. It’s a done deal.”

About 15 firefighters and five trucks from Southgate, Melancthon, Mulmur and Shelburne arrived at the scene to find the home fully engulfed in flames.

At least two trucks were used to shuttle water to the scene. Shortly after noon, firefighters were able to get the situation under control.

The Salvation Army Emergency Response Unit arrived on scene at about 1:30 p.m. to assist emergency responders.

Clayton said no one was injured in the fire.

“The occupants had gone for a walk at the time that the fire started,” he explained.

The fire is estimated to have caused between $250,000 and $300,000 damage. As of The Banner’s deadline, the cause had yet to be determined.